Mahalaya Shraddha – Preparation and Method
By Lokanath Mishra
The ritual of Mahalaya Shraddha holds special importance in Hindu Dharma, particularly during the fortnight of Pitrupaksha, when homage is paid to deceased ancestors. This sacred observance not only expresses gratitude but also helps the departed souls attain peace and liberation. Below is a detailed explanation of the preparations and method of performing Mahalaya Shraddha.
- Deities of Shraddha
The food offered during Shraddha is meant to satisfy deceased ancestors who may exist in different subtle forms. As per scriptures, food is not naturally available in subtle regions beyond the Earth, hence Shraddha provides nourishment for them.
In Mahalaya Shraddha, the presiding deities of the ancestors are Vasu, Rudra, and Aditya:
• Vasu represents desire,
• Rudra represents dissolution,
• Aditya represents fire and action.
Together, they symbolize the liberation of father (Vasu), grandfather (Rudra), and great-grandfather (Aditya).
Additionally, Vishvedevs (Pururav-Ardrav and Dhurilochan) are invoked, representing the collective deities of sacrificial fires.
- When should Mahalaya Shraddha be performed?
• The ritual is ideally performed on the tithi (lunar day) of the death anniversary of one’s father during the fortnight of Pitrupaksha.
• If the exact tithi is unknown, it should be performed on Amavasya (New Moon day).
• According to the Shaka Samvat calendar – on Amavasya of Bhadrapada month.
• According to the Vikram Samvat calendar – on Amavasya of Ashwin month.
- Preparation for Mahalaya Shraddha
General Preparation
• Both the host (performer of Shraddha) and the invited priests must fast from the previous night and abstain from physical relations.
• The ritual should be performed preferably on the ground floor, in a clean space.
3.1 Substances Required
Apart from common ritual items, the following are essential:
• Barley (yava)
• Black sesame seeds (tila)
• Maize (corn)
• Tulsi (basil leaves)
Arrangement of priests:
• One priest (God-priest) faces East.
• One priest (Pitru-priest) faces North (direction of ancestors).
• The host sits facing South-East.
• A third priest may be present to narrate and guide the ritual.
3.2 Preparation for the Host
Before beginning, the host performs purificatory actions:
• Wears the sacred thread (yajnopavita),
• Applies holy ash (vibhuti) on the body,
• Partakes of panchagavya (five sacred cow products),
• Performs achaman (sipping of sanctified water).
3.3 Pre-Ritual Religious Actions
1. Wear a white dhoti with an upper cloth (upavastra).
2. Begin with achaman (sipping sanctified water).
3. Apply holy ash on body parts.
4. Hold darbha grass in hand and touch different parts of the body.
5. Announce the time and purpose of the ritual to the deities.
6. Make a resolve (sankalpa):
• For Mahalaya Shraddha, resolve for the Vishvedev called Dhurilochan.
• Invoke ancestors (paternal and maternal) including father, grandfather, great-grandfather, mother, grandmother, uncles, aunts, siblings, in-laws, Guru, and other departed souls of the lineage.
7. Invoke holy rivers such as Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, and prepare:
• Yavodak (water mixed with sandalwood paste, flowers, tulsi, coins, betel nut, and darbha).
• Tilodak (water mixed with black sesame seeds and maize, charged with mantras).
Purification: Sprinkle these sanctified waters on yourself, the priests, and the ritual area.
3.4 Welcoming the Priests & Annaprokshan
• The host circumambulates around the priest with a spoon, water pot, darbha, and sesame seeds in hand.
• He prostrates in the south-east direction and declares his intent: to abandon anger, observe celibacy, and perform the Shraddha with devotion.
• He offers kshan (sacred darbha) first to the God-priest and then to the Pitru-priest.
• Using Yavodak and Tilodak, sacred lines are drawn, sesame seeds are sprinkled in eight directions, and charged water is sprinkled on the food in the kitchen.
• This creates subtle circles of ancestral frequencies, transforming the space into a symbolic region of ancestors (Pitrulok).
3.5 Invocation and Worship of Vishvedev
• Sacred thread is worn on the left shoulder (Savya).
• Facing the God-priest, the host prays: “O Vishvedev, please come and bless this ritual.”
• Then the sacred thread is shifted to the right shoulder (Apasavya) for the Pitru-priest.
• Barley and darbha are placed before the God-priest.
• Arghya (water offering) is given with Yavodak and barley.
• Worship is done with sandalwood paste, flowers, incense, and a lamp.
3.6 Invocation and Worship of Ancestors
1. Host shifts the sacred thread to the right shoulder and offers sandalwood, maize, and flowers to the Pitru-priest.
2. Waves incense anti-clockwise and performs arati with a lamp.
3. Places betel nut, darbha, and sesame seeds in the Pitru-priest’s hands to symbolize completion.
4. Offers arghya (water, flowers, sesame seeds) with mantras to the ancestors.
5. Sprinkles sesame seeds from feet to head on the Pitru-priest symbolically representing ancestors.
6. Ends with self-circumambulation (going around oneself clockwise or counter-clockwise) and a humble prayer:
• “If any mistake has occurred during worship, please forgive me.”
Conclusion
The Mahalaya Shraddha is not just a ritual but a spiritual experiment that blends devotion, discipline, and remembrance. By invoking deities like Vishvedevs and offering food, water, sesame seeds, and prayers, the host creates a sacred channel of energy through which the deceased ancestors are satisfied, liberated, and their blessings flow back to the family.
This ritual reinforces the eternal bond between generations and fulfills one of the most important duties of life: repaying the debt to ancestors (Pitru Rina).